A Study on the Architectural Characteristics of Pilamseowon

필암서원(筆巖書院)의 건축(建築) 변천과정(變遷過程)에 관(關)한 연구(硏究)

Seowon(書院) was an institute for education and sacrificial rite, established privately in rural villages throughout the middle period of the Chosun dynasty(1392-1910), where scholars researched classic studies, cultivated personal characters in accordance with the Neo-Confucianism, nurtured young disciples, and performed rites at a secluded shrine where spiritual tablets of honorees were housed. This study examines the architectural characteristics of Pilamseowon(筆巖書院) in Chans'seong, Chollanamdo Province, Korea. Through the study, the architectural characteristics of Pilamseowon were found as follows: First, Pilamseowon moved twice since it had been established. Second, through the moving, the area of Pilamseowon was expanded and buildings were added. Third, some buildings of Pilamseowon reflect the previous condition of the seowon site. Take Hwakyeonroo(廓然樓) as an example, which is the main entrance pavilion of Pilamseowon. Pavilion is an appropriate type of building in sloped site. Before Hwakyeonroo was moved to the present site, it was located on sloped site, where Hwakyeonroo accordingly took the pavilion type of building. Present site condition of Pilamseowon is plane, nonetheless, Hwakyeonroo has the pavilion type of building, which reflects the previous condition of the building site. Forth, Pilamseowon consists of six spatial domains and each domain has its own entrance gate to outer area.